[extropy-chat] Quantum leap for computers

[Giu1i0 Pri5c0]

THE amazing world of quantum computing has made a, well, quantum leap
forwards, thanks to European scientists who have fashioned a practical
"quantum memory" for the hypothetical devices.
Without a working memory no computer can process data, whether it's
the binary bits of today's machines or the quantum bits, "qubits", of
tomorrow's quantum computers.
But Danish, Dutch and Czech physicists report in the journal Nature
that they successfully used a faint pulse of laser light to carry and
trap "quantum information" into a gas of atoms - the quantum
equivalent of an ordinary random-access memory.
Although commercially or scientifically useful, quantum computers are
at least 10-15 years off, Nobel laureate William Phillips says.
Banks and governments are scrambling to build quantum-style encryption
machines to protect their systems, and crack others. "There are
rumours they're already being used by the military and intelligence
communities," said Professor Phillips, from the atomic physics
division of the US National Institute of Standards and Technology in
Maryland.
He said the work of Dr Polzik and his colleagues was "an important
step" towards true quantum computers.
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11489358%5E15321,00.html